Enhanced handle grip apparatus for resistive exercise

ABSTRACT

A gripping assembly adapted principally for use with cable-type exercising devices which employs a cinchable endless loop strap member extending unimpeded through the bore of a tubular gripping member for securing the assembly to the user&#39;s wrist/forearm during use and for attaching a resistive component to exercise against. Upon inserting one&#39;s hand through the strap loop protruding from the proximal end of the gripping member, grasping the gripping member and pulling or pushing thereon to provide exertion against a resisting exercise element the proximal end of the strap loop member is urged toward the proximal end of the tubular gripping member and against the user&#39;s wrist/forearm to thereby secure the grip assembly to the user. When in use the device imparts an additional user selectable torsion stress component to exercise against and an added safety feature via the wrist/forearm device anchor site.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gripping devices suitable for attachment to a force-resisting element of a body building, physical fitness or physical rehabilitation exercising apparatus. This invention relates more specifically to USPTO classification 482/92/139. Physical fitness is recognized as essential to good health and longevity. Exercise is an important element in achieving and maintaining physical fitness and improving one's performance in any given sport. There has been a variety of user attachment devices which include belts and elastic members with hand grips intended for use with resistive exercise apparatus. Few of these devices have proved entirely suitable in terms of effectiveness, safety and convenience. The handles employed in exerting tension on a cable of an exercise machine are quite important, since they affect the manner in which the muscles of a person's body are stressed in applying resistive force. Handles should be configured so that resistive force can be utilized to exercise select muscle groups in the body. While some handles are suitable for performing certain exercises, they are often inappropriate for performing other exercises. Other user attachment devices limit the range of motion and therefore the variety of exercises that can be performed. The present invention addresses this shortcoming by allowing resistive input from virtually any direction both vertically and horizontally. Nearly all handles are constructed such that when gripped, the resistive force imposed by the attached opposing force is directed equally to both ends of the handle and consequentially ignores the potentially beneficial effects of applied torque provided via an imbalanced of same. Many activities, and sport activities in particular, require the employment of the hand and forearm muscles which are only superficially given the attention they deserve. Rarely do handles directly address this deficiency. Further more exercise equipment employing a cable like user interface is commonly engaged by the user via a handle or handles exclusively and therefore presents a potential safety hazard by way of unfettered equipment or user instability should that connection accidentally fail.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a user connection grip assembly that is compatible with a wide range of resistance exercise devices and provides for a more focused, comprehensive and safer form of exercising. The present invention provides for a novel and improved user grip assembly comprised of a minimum number of parts which is portable and easily assembled. It is a further object of the present invention to provide the user with complimentary and selectable torque stress components to exercise in opposition to. The present invention intentionally solves this deficiency by requiring the user to exercise in opposition to an integral torque stress component. The torque stress component is produced through the handle grip as a consequence of the proximal end of the handle grip acting as a fulcrum anchored via the wrist/forearm strap anchor site while the distal end of the handle grip is subjected to resistive force. Consequently hand and forearm muscles must be employed to counter balance the imposed torque. The magnitude of the torque component is user selectable via a combination of the handle grip length and the positioning of the user's hand on the handle grip. The torsional force component can be increased by employing a longer handle grip and/or gripping the handle grip nearer the proximal end. A further object of the present invention is to provide the user with a safety feature in the form of an additional device anchor site. The present invention addresses this problem by providing a more reliable secondary device anchor site via a cinched wrist/forearm strap loop.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows the entire user connection device. The endless loop strap (1) with resistive force attachment element (3) protrudes from the distal end of the handle grip (2) and passes unimpeded and completely through the axial bore of the handle grip (2) forming a cinchable loop at the proximal end of the handle grip (2).

FIG. 2 shows two user attachment configurations of the connection device. Both configurations show the strap (1) protruding from the distal end of the handle grip (2) and providing an attachment site (3) for a multitude of resistive force elements and the strap (1) protruding from the proximal end of the handle grip (2) looping and cinching around the user's wrist/forearm providing an additional user anchor site.

FIG. 3 shows one possible user configuration among a multitude of possible configurations. The user is shown with the connection device attached as depicted in the top drawing of FIG. 2. The device is shown attached at connection element (3) to a resistive elastic element (4) which is in turn attached to a stationary element (5) via a variety of means. The distal end of the handle grip (2) is shown axially with the strap (1) connected to the resistive element (4) via the attachment site (3) passing through the handle grip (2) bore and cinch looping around the user's wrist/arm thereby providing a secondary device anchor site.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the enhanced handle grip device is shown in FIG. 1. The device is composed of two members. The strap comprises an endless loop with a means of attaching a resistive force element. The element in which to attach a resistive force such as a cable or elastic tubing is well known in the industry and of minimal importance in the claim put forward on this device. In the preferred embodiment the continuity of the strap member would be achieved by sewing together open strap ends and deploying a grommet at the junction. The grommet would then be employed as an attachment site for a resistive element. In the preferred embodiment the strap would have a circumferential length of about 30 inches and a width of about 1 inch. The strap material is preferably a substantially inelastic and flexible synthetic material or blend such as nylon webbing so as to provide substantial shear and tensile strength and avoid any sharp edges. The strap material should resist tearing and the appropriate types are well known in the exercise and recreation fields. In the preferred embodiment the handle grip is composed of a substantially resilient material such as PVC with a pliant gripable exterior coating such as rubber. A wide variety of other materials such as rubber or nylon would be suitable as well and are also well known in the exercise equipment industry. The outside handle grip diameter being approximately 1 inch so as to be easily gripable by an adult human hand and having a wall thickness of approximately ¼ inch. The diameter of the handle grip bore is adequately sized so as to allow the enclosed strap member to move axially through the handle grip with minimal impedance. The handle grip length in the preferred embodiment is approximately 5 inches although a handle grip length several inches longer may be appropriate in other embodiments and is of fundamental importance regarding the functioning of the device. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claim. 

1. A user attachment device for use in conjunction with one or more exercise accessories attached thereto comprising: a handle member; being substantially rigid and having an axial bore, a strap member forming an endless loop; being substantially inelastic and flexible; passing unimpeded through axial bore of said handle; being axially movable through said handle; being accessible at both ends of said handle; forming a cinchable loop at proximal end of said handle so as to secure the wrist or forearm of user; forming a loop at or near the distal end of said handle being engageable with a resistive element. 